Even though we are two weeks into 2003, the Weekender has decided to rank the things you care about most: Music, TV, movies and video games. (Every other magazine has, so why not the Weekender?) What you are about to read are the top three, as chosen by the Weekender staff, in each category. You may agree, you may not, but you have to admit, these certainly have made an impact in the entertainment industry.

Movies

1. ‘Adaptation’ :Charlie Kaufman proves himself to be the world’s greatest living screenwriter. Kaufman’s script flows like no script ever has, equipped with a third act that will “WOW” naive viewers and make more attentive viewers chuckle.

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2. ‘Bowling For Columbine’ :Michael Moore makes one of the greatest documentaries of all time with this look at our murder-happy society. Instead of blaming gun owners, Moore takes a look at the way our national media injects fear into our society.

3. ‘25th Hour’ :Director Spike Lee turns into the expert storyteller in this emotionally wrenching film about a man’s last night before going to prison.

– Marcus Leshock, Assistant Weekender Editor

Music

1. The Flaming Lips, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”: Like their last album, “The Soft Bulletin,” the Lips continue to experiment with synthesizers and other electronic goodies in this concept album, telling the story of Yoshimi and her understanding that we must live life to the fullest. Best lyric of the album: “Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die?”

-2. Queens of the Stone Age, “Songs for the Deaf”: Few bands stay true to good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, but the Queens are one of those bands. Put the CD in your car stereo and just let it play. It will sound like you are listening to the radio and wouldn’t you know it, Queens of the Stone Age is on every station. Reason to buy this album: It’s just plain old rock ‘n’ roll with no strings attached.

3. Wilco, “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”: “Foxtrot” is a brilliant blend of folk rock, pop rock and alternative rock. Wilco has managed to make albums that end up on critic’s “best of” lists every year. The funny thing about this album is that Wilco’s old record label rejected it and it wasn’t until last spring that it finally was released under a new label. Best lyric of the album: “I miss the innocence I’ve known, playing Kiss covers beautiful and stoned.”

– Mike Larmon, Weekender Reporter

Games

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Throw the player in the middle of a huge city, give him tons of weapons and cars, include more than a hundred missions, and then for kicks, give the player all the moral issues related with gunning down innocent pedestrians. Rockstar outdid itself with a fantastically innovated game.

-2. Metroid Prime: Super Metroid was hailed as a fantastic 2D platform game, and fans were furious that the new game was being changed to a first person shooter. However, what players found was a deep, engaging action game with a clever and almost entirely optional plot. Graphically stunning, Prime adheres to the typical Metroid formula of defeating another menace to the galaxy while being gloriously inventive.

3. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance: When Konami decided to break the mold and create a beautiful 2D game instead of going with the blocky 3D of its competitors with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, it was probably a gamble. Now, with Castlevania: HoD being the third game in the series of role-playing games, Konami knows it’s money in the bank.

– Andrew Duff, Weekender Reporter

TV

1. 24: This entire series is set in only one day’s time. This well-acted and intriguing show follows a counter-terrorism agent named Jack through twists, turns and usually interesting subplots. A surprise death at the end of the first season reminds us that TV doesn’t have to be boring and predictable. The second season is just as exciting and full of tension.

-2. The Osbournes: Who can deny this show? An aging, incoherent rock star, Ozzy Osbourne, and manager-wife, Sharon, struggle with raising two offbeat teenagers. Fun and bleeped-out obscenities ensue, but still family loyalty prevails.

3. Trading Spaces: Reality TV one can watch without the disturbing feeling of voyeurism. This show rarely disappoints. Hosts Paige Davis and Alex McLeod, along with hilarious designers, guide two couples as they redecorate a room in each other’s house. Viewers learn how to create art deco shelves and re-tile floors on a shoestring budget.

– Jessica King, Weekender Reporter